Rescued by a Reception Revolution?

[摘要] GPs’ days are frantically busy. But how much GP time is spent solving problems that could have been better solved by someone else? Either by a GP who knows them better, an external service, or one of the many additional primary care network (PCN) roles? GPs also waste time untangling messy tasks like old referrals, prescriptions, or sick notes.One solution is to help patients and tasks get to the right clinician or service in the right time frame. To do this, we need people who can untangle the problems that present to primary care. Simple concepts like this are an absolute art to get right in practice. An art we simply can’t afford to miss.OPTIMISING THE SUPPORT AROUND US What could we learn by comparing a GP to driver in the Grand Prix? A highly trained Formula 1 team optimises car performance. They help make tough decisions at the race. They master the art of pit stops. A driver can succeed only because the conditions for success have been optimised around them. How can conditions be optimised around a GP?Every item of work that comes in to a surgery should be carefully assessed with a view to passing it to the most appropriate person or service. If a clinical triage is required, high-quality information should be gathered and presented to the GP. This support does not require a medical degree. It requires someone with care, curiosity, communication skills, and time. Like an operating surgeon, GPs need at their fingertips the right staff, systems, and equipment. This can start now.Beyond managing access there are dozens of similar administrative tasks, for example, incoming letters, problems with prescriptions, and sick notes. With care and support, administrative staff can either clear the work entirely or present the GP with all the key information they need. Could staff even be trained to pass on simple, common messages like certain blood results? Any recurrent activity that feels like a waste of time is an opportunity to improve how its done.

[学科分类] 卫生学